Best of Gap-Year Programs
Often taken right after high school, a gap year is a structured break from formal academics that affords young people a chance to travel, volunteer, intern, study abroad, or further explore a personal area of interest. Gap-year programs come in many forms and exist on every continent, and offer nearly endless possibilities for adventure and learning.聽
To simplify your search, our Best of Gap-Year Programs page allows you to sort programs by eight distinct categories. Each of the selected programs rates highly in the important factors of among others.
CIEE
- Various International Locations
- In operation since 1947, CIEE is the longest-running, non-profit study abroad organization and they operate their own study centers around the world.
- Four different offerings include: High School Summer Abroad – 3-8 Weeks; High School Semester Abroad – 3 Months – 2 Semesters; Gap Year Abroad 1-2 Semesters; First Year Abroad – 1-2 Semesters.
- Over 35 international locations available for current high school students, high school grads, and current college students.
The Immersion at Wilderness Awareness School
- Duvall, WA
- A 9-month program where students experience their surroundings from the complementary approaches of scientific study and the practice of survival skills, nature connection, and self-discovery.
- The program is facilitated through eight core areas of study: Wilderness Survival and Bushcraft, Naturalist Studies, Wildlife Tracking, Land Stewardship, Personal Growth, Cultural Studies, Community Leadership, and Bird Language.
- Located in Duvall, Washington, this program is open to adults 18 and older.
Where There Be Dragons
- Taiwan, Indonesia, South America, Nepal, Southeast Asia, China, Bhutan, Guatemala, Western US, Morocco, West Africa, Southern US
- Partnered with 50+ schools and universities around the world.聽
- Slow down and experience day-to-day live in communities around the globe.聽
- Hands-on management; programs not subcontracted.
Seville Abroad
- Seville, Spain
- Offers immersive educational experiences that allow students to fully embrace Spanish culture while gaining valuable academic and personal growth.
- Programs provide an authentic, enriching journey through Spain, whether you’re a high school student, a gap-year traveler, or part of an educational tour.
- With Seville Abroad, you will find your second home away, a place you will always want to go back to and an experience which will live long in your memory!
Rooted Life Adventures
- Queentown, New Zealand; Byron Bay, Australia
- Supported Gap Year in Queenstown, New Zealand with mental health support for individuals 18-22 years of age.
- New program in Australia for women 18-24; live with your therapeutic coach.
- Groups of 5-10 students with a 1:3 staff-to-student ratio.
- Highlights of the trip include: Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Milford Sound Boat Cruise, Glow Worm Caves, White Water Rafting, Canyoning & Rappelling Waterfalls, Luging, 10 Breathtaking Day Hikes, Lord of the Rings Filming Sites, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, and more!
Soar NC
- Balsam, NC
- To provide experiential education, interpersonal life skills development and outdoor adventure-based programming to youth, young adults and families living with Learning Disabilities, and/or Attention Deficit Disorders through SOAR鈥檚 outdoor adventure camp programs, GAP year program, and community-based services.
Discover Year
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada & Toronto, Canada
- Take meaningful action to further explore and understand their true interests, strengths and values
- Keep an open mind to new and diverse ideas, perspectives, and experiences
- Honour their authentic selves in the service of others as the transition into adulthood
The Leap
- Africa, Asia, Central & South America
- Designed to blend volunteering, adventure, and cultural immersion.
- We champion team travel as its social, collaborative and many hands make light work
- All of our Leap gap year programmes contain an element of contributing back to the countries you’re visiting
The Good Life: Seguinland Institute
- Georgetown, ME
- Step away from the confusions of everyday life and make yourself at home on a 60-acre homestead peninsula in the coastal woodlands of Maine.
- You鈥檒l partake of experiences in nature, learn to forage & garden & cook, read inspired texts (one at a time), live into the big questions, practice mindfulness, connect to creativity and cultivate friendships based on the deeper things.
- Along the way you鈥檒l complete 3 college courses.
Pacific Discovery
- Australia, Bali, Cambodia, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Greece, Guatemala, Hawai'i, India, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam
- Immerse Yourself In Diverse Cultures For A Deeper Global Perspective Support Local Communities Through Service-Learning Projects In Amazing Locations Around The World
- Develop An Appreciation For The Earth鈥檚 Wild Places And Explore Local Environmental Issues
- Embark on your journey to a dream job or university. Study for 2, 3, or 4 terms and earn certifications that prove your language skills.
- Grow through life-changing experiences abroad and learn essential life skills that allow you to thrive in the future.
- Discover a new country and live like a local.
Carpe Diem Education
- Central America, Hawai'i, India & Nepal, Italy & Greece, South America, South Pacific, Southeast Asia, UK & Netherlands
- You’ll spend your first group semester enjoying a wide range of experiences and educational opportunities while engaging with multiple partner organizations in several locations.
- Your second semester gives you the opportunity to deepen your educational experience in a more self-directed, independent manner.
- You’ll commit to a multi-month individual placement in one community, what we call a Focused Volunteer Placement (FVP).
Tidelines Institute Glacier Bay Year
- Southeast Alaska
- The Glacier Bay Year immerses students in the rhythms of Alaskan lifeways while allowing them to earn college credit for their experience.
- Focused around the three pillars of academics, labor, and self-governance.
- More nebulous and difficult to nail down than an academic or labor commitment, community living is perhaps the most intense and personally rich component of the Glacier Bay Semester.
Siena Italian Studies
- Siena, Italy
- The first three weeks of the semester are dedicated to learning Italian, exploring the territory, visiting service sites and getting to know the host families.
- Service-Learning is an integral part of the intercultural study abroad experience in Siena.
- Whenever possible, we integrate field excursions and museum visits to enhance comprehension and provide students with a multifaceted experience.
Sea Education Association (SEA)
- Woods Hole, Massachusetts (shore); New Zealand (sea)
- Students take what they learn during a preparatory shore component in Woods Hole and then apply it in the field as a crewmember at sea.
- Our ships are U.S. flagged, inspected, and regulated vessels, and have been designed and built specifically for SEA with student and crew safety foremost in mind.
- Gap year programs can receive credit from Boston University
Pizarts
- NYC, Panama, India, El Salvador
- Participants will develop their skills and artistic abilities, gaining a deeper appreciation for the arts and culture.
- A robust 12 weeks schedule that combines our unique curriculum with a tailored plan that fits your individual needs.
IYRS School of Tech & Trade
- Newport, RI
- Each of our programs is nationally accredited by ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges) and the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education.
- Examples of Programs: Composites Technology, Digital Modeling & Fabrication, & Marine Systems
- Your gap year at IYRS will help you build your educational resume with a meaningful (and fun!) experience while still allowing you to apply to your future college as a freshman if you are a recent high school graduate.
International Field Studies’ Forfar Marine Science
- Andros, Bahamas
- Live on beachfront property, study on the crystal clear Caribbean waters, and earn certifications during a marine science program through the nonprofit, International Field Studies (IFS).
- Certifications you鈥檒l receive: PADI Open Water, PADI Advanced Open Water, ACA Kayaking Certification, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Leave No Trace (LNT)
- Students will partake in lecture based activities and land/sea excursions throughout the island as they explore the wonders of Andros
Greene’s College Oxford
- Oxford, UK
- Use the tutorial method of teaching, which will allow you to sit down with experts in their field to discuss, debate, and dissect topics that interest you.
- Green’s students are also allowed to take out temporary membership to the oldest student-led debating society – The Oxford Union.
- Opportunity to explore the ancient city’s many galleries, museums, colleges, and walks.
Chinese Gap Year in Taipei
- Taipei City, Taiwan
- Small and intensive Chinese classes that accelerate your learning.
- Weekly culture classes to help you better understand Taiwan.
- Take advantage of Taiwan’s convenient public transportation to visit nearby mountains and beautiful beaches.
Animal Experience International
- Australia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, Cuba, Mongolia, Spain, Nepal, Kenya, Croatia, South Africa
- Transform your life while helping animals around the world Safe, ethical, and authentic volunteering curated by travel and animal experts.
- Experience a Consent-Based Tourism model, where participants consent to all interactions. provide clients from all different backgrounds with safe animal volunteer experiences that are locally supported and run, pay fair wages, conduct educational programs, and have high standards of conservation.
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
- Alaska; Rocky Mountains; Wyoming; Pacific Northwest; Baja, California; India; Tanzania; New Zealand; Patagonia;
- Leadership is taught every day through real-life experience: Navigating a glacier becomes a lesson in communication; canoeing a rapid teaches teamwork; and rock climbing reveals a strength you didn鈥檛 know you had.
- Earn up to 27 credit hours in a variety of fields, including Cultural Studies, Leadership Techniques, Environmental Studies, and Risk Management.
- Some expeditions offer additional industry-recognized certifications and certificates of completion
Irish Gap Year
- Based out of Donegal, Ireland, Ireland or Europe programs
- Europe鈥檚 first and only Gap Year Association Accredited Program Provider
- Program leaders to relate to different learning styles and understand experiential education in the context of gap year programming
- All of the team have a real passion and enthusiasm for the little green island off the coast of mainland Europe called Ireland
GAP at Glen Brook
- Marlborough, NH
- A year-round outdoor education center in southern New Hampshire
- Waldorf education-inspired programs Work and learning on the farm forms is a core piece of our curriculum.
- Trips are an opportunity to learn expedition leadership, push our physical boundaries, work together, summit mountains and paddle rivers, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the regional wild landscape in New England and Canada.
AMIGOS
- Asunci贸n, Paraguay
- 2-week intensive Spanish language course
- 12-week long internship at a local non-profit or school where you鈥檒l be able to build real-world skills while making a positive impact
- Group excursions to national parks, including a visit to Iguazu Falls
The School of The New York Times
- New York, New York
- Program designed to explore the fields of journalism.
- Sections of the newspaper reflect the fields of study from social to global topics.
- Mentoring helps student create a project for closing ceremonies.
Sea|mester
- Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean
- Sailing from port to port, experiencing cultures & continents.
- Learn Marine Sciences and how to sail.
- Earn SCUBA and sailing certifications.
CityGAP at The Living City Project in NYC
- New York, New York
- Participants consider the current challenges facing the city of New York.
- Partners include city officials, artists, journalists, and more.
- Students will have the opportunity to create an Independent Project.
Berridge Programs
- Normandy, France
- Lively classes in film, studio art, theatre or music
- Craft a portfolio showcasing your projects with guidance from seasoned artists
- Live the artists life in a creative community with museums and art scene
Cow House Studios
- Wexford, Ireland
- Artist-run school set on a 180-acre farm in Ireland.聽
- Can study painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, and photography.聽
- Studio visits with Irish artists and curators.
Dynamy
- Worcester, Massachusetts
- Participants gain real-world work experience, explore career interests, and build critical life skills.
- Partners with Clark University so students can also earn college credits.聽
- A great option for students with learning differences and/or ADD/ADHD.
Absolute Internship
- Virtual, Barcelona, Beijing, Hong Kong, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Paris, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo
- Offers on-site, remote, and high school internship programs.聽
- Many locations across Europe and Asia.聽
- Explore a wealth of career advice and cross-cultural insights.
Tilting Futures
- Cape Town, South Africa; Georgetown, Malaysia
- Partnered with schools such as BU, Colby, Colorado College, Denison, and聽 Duke.聽
- Work 4 days a week with an organization focused on advancing human rights or advancing sustainability
- Program begins with a Foundations course to help you understand the social and historical context of the country.
Are you a provider?
Apply today to be featured on one of our lists.
